For what was the second time in less than ten years, the annual Beehive Drive rolled into Huntington last week. Formerly known as The Utah Fastpass, the volunteer organization started in 2006 and since that time has donated over $2 million to help those in need across Utah, according to the organization’s website.
Car-owners volunteer for the four-day event, which takes place in various areas throughout the state as each day finds the group of show cars in a different community where a free car show and lunch is hosted. Also at the event, grants or even scholarships may be given out to help in the drive’s goal to give back.
“The benefactors from this are three-fold,” explained Sergeant Todd Royce, who serves as the Public Information Officer for the Utah Highway Patrol, which assists with the drive.
The drive annually donates to communities through scholarships and grants and also sends around 30 rural high school students every year to Washington D.C. for a history tour of the nation’s capital.
The drive also donates money to the Utah Highway Patrol’s Honoring Heroes Foundation, which is used to help the spouses and children of officials who are killed or otherwise harmed while serving their state.
“It’s just people, car enthusiasts, that love their community, that love people that serve in their communities and the children of the communities,” explained Sergeant Royce. “They just want to help that cause out the best they can.”
The drive ends after the several community visits with a gala and auction in Salt Lake City. From donations, entry fees and the gala, the beehive drive is able to provide funds to help and support communities and people throughout the state.
“I was surprised when they picked us, but absolutely thrilled,” said Huntington City Mayor Hilary Gordon.
The drive had already visited Huntington in 2009 but, as Mayor Gordon expressed, with many coal mines closing their doors and many families unsure about the future, the drive was welcomed to the city with open arms.
The drive reached out to Mayor Gordon before the event and asked her what projects the city had planned and could use help with. The result of the drive was a $7,000 check being awarded to the city on behalf of the drive and various other sources.
“It was amazing,” the mayor said. The money is projected to be used in improvements to Huntington City’s park such as a pathway from the pavilion to a serving area and a much needed awning.
Besides the dollar amount, the day also gave many a chance to enjoy a show of classic show cars and a free lunch.
“Those that came and looked at the cars loved it,” Gordon continued. “Where else do you go to see these kind of cars?”
Lamborghinis, Porsches and many other models lined up to give community members a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and, in some cases, sit behind the wheel, of such automobiles.
“It was a good, good day,” Gordon expressed.
The drive continued after leaving Huntington to Moab and concluded with the gala at Salt Lake’s Little America on the 21st.
For more information on the Beehive Drive and to see how it continually benefits the beehive state, visit www.beehivedrive.org.
